Old Geelong Gaol sale awaits final sentence

Tender for the sale of the old Geelong Gaol have closed with the City of Greater Geelong to now assess them.

Finance and strategy director Peter Anderson says tenders closed on Friday after the campaign to sell the prison complex was relaunched in May.

“These tender responses are considered commercial-in-confidence and no details can be made available during this process,” Anderson says.

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“We intend to submit a report to council to consider at its meeting on Tuesday, July 24.”

An initial expressions of interest for the 19th century complex closed in December, 2017 before it was recently relaunched.

The heritage-listed Old Geelong Gaol.

The extension came after the council tightened the contract of sale, committing the buyer to fulfil ongoing maintenance to the bluestone gaol, which opened in 1853 and closed in 1991.

Colliers International, Geelong agent Andrew Lewis said existing preferred bidders were asked to submit their best offers but new buyers could also enter the race.

Mayor Bruce Harwood told the Geelong Advertiser in May the extension allowed a bidder that had missed the previous deadline to enter the contest.

“We’ve had good interest and I think as a result we will get a good result for the city,” Cr Harwood says.

An internal area within the Old Geelong Gaol.

The gaol occupies a 9423sqm site with a residential growth zoning, but the 3993sq m potential development area excludes the three-storey cell block, the governor’s and wardens’ residences, main entry from Myers St and an exercise yard in the southwest quadrant, including a section of the prison wall and a guard tower.

The council previously estimated the maintenance backlog of the gaol was at least $1.56 million.

The council acquired the gaol through a $360,000 interest-free State Government loan, yet to be repaid, after it closed in 1991.

This article from the Geelong Advertiser originally appeared as “Tenders close for the sale of the old Geelong Gaol”.